Avoid Ranney Hill trail as crews work on fire, NWT Fire says

NWT Fire is advising residents to avoid the Ranney Hill trail outside Yellowknife due to a wildfire.

Human-caused fire ZF054 has burned half a hectare since it began on Thursday. It is currently classified as being out of control.

NWT Fire told Cabin Radio on Friday afternoon that fire crews are actively working to contain the fire.

The wildfire agency recommended that the public avoid the trail and not interfere with operations.

There are currently 117 wildfires actively burning across the NWT, 101 of which are classified as being out of control.

Residents of Whatì were ordered to evacuate on Friday morning due to a fire burning 7km south of the community’s airport. NWT Fire has said it is “the territory’s number one priority fire.”

Other active wildfires in the territory’s North Slave region include ZF024, burning near Hearne, Buckham and Watta Lakes, and ZF015, which is visible between kilometres 140 and 160 on Highway 3.

NWT Fire said structure protection is being maintained to protect values at risk from ZF024 and crews are working to protect cabins from ZF015.

South Slave, Dehcho and Sahtu

In the South Slave, the wildfire agency said the north flank of fire SS031, which is burning 32km south of Fort Resolution, is holding. It said helicopters are bucketing the area and crews are working to ensure the fire does not grow.

Fire SS014, which is burning 24km northwest of Fort Providence, will likely be visible from Highway 3, NWT Fire said.

The wildfire agency said strong winds could cause that fire to grow closer to the highway over the long weekend. It said Fort Providence is not at threat, due to barriers preventing the fire from spreading south, while the NWT government is monitoring Highway 3.

Up-to-date information on highway conditions in the territory can be found on Drive NWT.

In the Dehcho, NWT Fire said the south flank of fire FS014 is “holding well” and suppression activities are continuing. The fire is burning 12.5km northwest of Jean Marie River and 22km southeast of Fort Simpson.

Meanwhile fire FS009 burning east of Fort Liard has shown little activity. NWT Fire said structure protection equipment is being demobilized from the community as the threat has reduced. Structure protection continues to be maintained on cabins in the area.

In the Sahtu region, the wildfire agency said crews are working to contain fire VQ033, which is less than one hectare and burning 4km east of Tulita. NWT Fire said the fire is burning in “somewhat swampy terrain,” is not expected to become an issue and crews are continuing to work on the fire until it is fully contained.